Hugh Rance studied sculpture, art history and comparative mythology at the Slade School of Fine Art and University College, London and has a postgraduate teaching diploma in art and design. He draws on a life long interest in prehistoric art, archaeology and mythology in his work. As well as carving in stone and casting in bronze and silver, Hugh also draws, makes etchings and paints in watercolour. Working mainly on commissions, his work is represented in private collections across the world in countries including Ireland, England, Sweden, America and Australia.
From the age of 13 Hugh studied flute with Frank Butterworth, formerly principal flute with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and Sadlers Wells Theatre. As a young man, Frank travelled to Paris with Geoffrey Gilbert to study with Marcel Moyse and Philippe Gaubert at the Paris Conservatoire. While at the Slade, Hugh went on to study with Lenore Smith, a former student of William Bennett and of Marcel Moyse in his old age. Hugh regularly absconded from the Slade to study music composition with Bob Plowright and Peter Sander and ceramics (described by Slade Professor Lawrence Gowing as 'mere craft') at the Stanhope Institute.